Introduction
There’s something unique about board game cafes (BGCs). They’re not just places to play games; they’re vibrant community hubs where friendships are forged over a shared love for gaming. Every game becomes an adventure in these cafes; let’s start yours now!
We spent the best part of a week visiting the websites and socials of all the BGCs we could find. We cross-referenced our findings with existing sources on the web. You can be sure that the BGCs from the list below satisfy our strict criteria:
- Legitimate and active website or social media page
- Welcoming and accessible for new board gamers
- Survived the pandemic
Most other resources online give a large number of links to either:
- Closed board game cafes
- Dangerous/expired/inactive websites
Please find your nearest board game cafe stress-free using our list, and be sure to skip ahead to see our other articles and learn a new game ready for your visit!
We have made every effort to make sure our recommendations are up-to-date. Still, you should check the link of your chosen venue and contact them to ask any questions. We always appreciate updates from our readers.
Here is our table of contents, organised by country and province/state/region:
Table of Contents
Board Game Cafes in Canada
Alberta
- Beaumont – Jef’s Café
- Calgary – Dickens Pub Gamer Sundays
- Calgary – Metal Galaxy Social Games & Bistro
- Calgary – Shoebox Games & Cafe
- Calgary – The Hexagon Board Game Cafe
- Camrose – Fox & Fable Book & Game Café
- Edmonton – Board N Brew
- Edmonton – Table Top Cafe
- Edmonton – The Hexagon Board Game Cafe
- Grande Prairie – Card’s Board Game Cafe
- Lethbridge – Round Table Board Gamerie
British Columbia
- Abbotsford – Boardwalk Cafe and Games
- Courtenay – Games & Grounds Coffee House
- Creston – Make/Do Family Board Game Cafè & Makerspace
- Grand Forks – The Board Room Café
- Langley – The Raving Gamer Bistro
- New Westminster – Ludica Pizzeria and Game Room
- Salmon Arm – Sanctuary Games
- Vancouver – Ludica Pizzeria and Game Room
- Victoria – Board With Friends
- Victoria – Interactivity Board Game Cafe
Manitoba
- Brandon – I Want That Stuff
- Winnipeg – Across the Board Game Café
New Brunswick
- Fredericton – Unplugged: A Board Games Cafe
- Shediac – Bistro Le Moque-Tortue
Nova Scotia
- Halifax – The Board Room Game Cafe
Ontario
- Chatham – Turns & Tales
- Courtice – Critical Hit Gaming Lounge
- Etobicoke – Funny Bones
- Fort Erie – Left of Central
- Guelph – The Round Table
- Hamilton – Mancala Monk
- Hamilton – Waypoint Games
- Kingston – Improbable Escapes
- Kitchener – The Adventurers Guild Board Game Café & Tavern
- London – Game Knight Leagues
- Markham – Omescape
- Mississauga – Dicey Business
- Mississauga – GG! Gaming Café
- Mississauga – LVLUP GAMES
- New Liskeard – Chat Noir Books
- Newmarket – Goblets & Goblins
- Orillia – Cards and Coasters
- Oshawa – Brew Wizards
- Ottawa – Level One
- Penetanguishene – North Of Exile Games
- Peterborough – The Boardwalk Lounge
- Scarborough – Omescape
- St. Catharines – Ludology
- Toronto – Bampot
- Toronto – Face to Face Games
- Toronto – For The Win
- Toronto – Snakes & Lattes – Annex
- Toronto – Snakes & Lattes – College
- Toronto – Snakes & Lattes – Midtown
- Toronto – Storm Crow Manor
- Waterloo – Crossroads Board Game Cafe
- Waterloo – Games on Tap
- Welland – Leisure Cafe
Quebec
- Beloeil – Kafée Dragon
- Drummondville – Le Joker Pub Ludique
- Gatineau – L’As Des Jeux
- Gatineau – Multizone
- Gatineau – Pärlé
- Longueuil – Le Joker Pub Ludique
- Montreal – Le Colonel Moutarde
- Montreal, Centropolis-Laval – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Montreal, Dix30 – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Montreal, Quartier Latin – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Montreal, Repentigny – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Montreal, Rosemont – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Montreal, Trois-Rivieres – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Quebec – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Quebec, Beauport – La Revanche
- Quebec, Capitale – La Revanche
- Quebec, St-Roch – La Revanche
- Saint-Hyacinthe – L’emprise
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Tome2
- Saint-Jérôme – Randolph Pub Ludique
- Saint-Joseph-du-Lac – La boutique Tabletop
- Shawinigan – Les Dés Truqués
- Sherbrooke – Montagu Pub Ludique
Saskatchewan
- Moose Jaw – Little Chicago Gaming Parlour
- Regina – Escape Club
- Saskatoon – Breakout Escape & Game Lounge
Board Game Cafes in the USA
Alabama
- Birmingham – Saturn
Arizona
- Chandler – Mox Boarding House
- Mesa – The Silver Key Lounge
- Tempe – Snakes & Lattes Tempe
- Tucson – Snakes & Lattes Tucson
California
- Anaheim – Meeples Family
- Anaheim – Requiem Coffee, Tea, and Fantasy
- Berkeley – Victory Point Cafe
- Burbank – Geeky Teas
- Burbank – Guildhall
- Camarillo – Zander’s Game House
- Dunsmuir – The Wheelhouse
- El Cajon – Off The Shelf Games
- Laguna Hills – Gamecraft Brewing
- Pleasanton – Characterz Cafe and Coffee Roasterz
- Riverside – Nevermore Game Club
- San Francisco – The Game Parlour
- Whittier – Guildhall
Colorado
- Englewood – The Tabletop Tap
- Fort Collins – The Haunted Game Cafe
- Grand Junction – Board Fox Games & Coffee
- Highlands Ranch – Enchanted Grounds
- Highlands Ranch – Game Train USA
- Littleton – Enchanted Grounds
- Littleton – Night Owl Games
Connecticut
- Manchester – The Portal
- New Haven – Elm City Games
District of Columbia
- Washington – Board Room DC
- Washington – Red Bear Brewing Co
Florida
- Davie – The Adventure Game Store
- Jacksonville – Java Game Haus
- Jacksonville Beach – Darby’s Dungeon
- Key West – The Retro Room
- Tallahassee – The Great Games Library
- Zephyrhills – Your Turn – A Board Game Café
Georgia
- Athens – The Rook & Pawn
- Marietta – Giga-Bites Café
- Sandy Springs – Battle & Brew
Hawaii
- Hilo – Slow Your Roll
Iowa
- Iowa City – Fortuna
Illinois
- Chicago – Athena Board Game Cafe
- Chicago – Bonus Round Cafe
- Decatur – The Hungry Hippo
- Evanston – Evanston Games & Cafe
Indiana
- Greenfield – Hitherto Coffee
- Indianapolis – Doughnuts & Dragons
- Jeffersonville – Pearl Street Game & Coffee House
- Lafayette – Merlin’s Beard
Kansas
- Mission – Mission: Board Games
Louisiana
- New Orleans – d4 Tabletop Gaming Café
- New Orleans – The Rook Cafe
Massachusetts
- Beverly – The Castle
- Boston – Tavern of Tales
- Brookline – Knight Moves
- Chelmsford – 3 Trolls Games & Puzzles
Maryland
- Abingdon – The Games Club
- Baltimore – No Land Beyond
- College Park – The Board And Brew
- Glen Burnie – Games and Stuff
Maine
- Bangor – Queen City Cinema Club
Michigan
- Berkley – Gate keeper Games
- Ferndale – The Corner
- Grand Rapids – House Rules Lounge
- Hancock – K.C. Bonker’s
Minnesota
- Minneapolis – Chatterbox Pub
- Minneapolis – Steamship Games
- Minnetonka – Lodestone Coffee & Games
Missouri
- Branson – Branson Boardgame Cafe
- Independence – Play Game Café
- Kansas City – Pawn and Pint
- Saint Louis – Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe
Mississippi
- Ridgeland – Dogmud Tavern
North Carolina
- Asheville – Well Played Board Game Café
- Cary – Gamers Geekery & Tavern
- Concord – Luck Factory Games
- Durham – Atomic Fern
- Morrisville – Meeple’s Brew
- Pineville – Carolina Tabletop Games
- Raleigh – The Kitchen Table
Nebraska
- Omaha – Spielbound
New Hampshire
- Manchester – Boards and Brews
New Jersey
- Hoboken – Play Hoboken
New Mexico
- Albuquerque – Empire Board Game Library
- Albuquerque – Slice and Dice Pizzeria
Nevada
- Las Vegas – Meepleville Board Game Cafe
- Reno – The Glass Die
New York
- Brooklyn – Sip ‘N’ Play
- Brooklyn – The Brooklyn Strategist
- Buffalo – Gather & Game
- Huntington – Main St Board Game Cafe
- New York – Main Street Board Game Cafe
- New York – The Uncommons
- New York – Hex & Co
- Troy – Bard & Baker: Board Game Café
Ohio
- Ashland – Masterminds Escape Room and Game Library
- Canton – Milestone
- Cleveland – Tabletop Board Game Cafe
- Columbus – Tabletop Game Cafe
- Columbus – The Forge Tavern
- Euclid – Omni Board Game Parlor
- Hamilton – A Game Knight
- Kettering – D20 : A Bar With Characters
- North Canton – Sapphire City Board Game Parlor
- North Olmsted – Recess Games
- Sylvania – Dragon’s Roost
- Wadsworth – Great Oaks Tavern
Oklahoma
- Ada – The Game Lobby
- Edmond – Edmond Unplugged
- Tulsa – Covenant
- Tulsa – Shuffles Board Game Cafe
Oregon
- Bend – Modern Games
- Corvallis – Gamagora
- Portland – Game Knight
- Portland – Guardian Games
- Portland – Mox Boarding House
- Salem – Ticket to Play Board Game Cafe
- Tigard – Senet Game Bar
Pennsylvania
- Bradford – The Magic Bean Café
- Harrisburg – The Adventurer’s Guild
- Lehighton – Jokers Are Wild Game Cafe
- Philadelphia – Queen & Rook Game Cafe
- Philadelphia – The Board And Brew
- Philadelphia – Thirsty Dice
- Pittsburgh – Victory Pointe Arcade
- Wilkes-Barre – The Game Chateau
South Carolina
- Lexington – The Side Deck – Gaming Café
Tennessee
- Memphis – Board to Beers
- Nashville – Game Point Café
Texas
- Austin – Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe
- Austin – Vigilante Gastropub and Games
- Denton – d20 Tavern
- Fort Worth – Game Theory
- Frisco – Nerdvana Frisco
- Houston – Asgard Games
- Houston – Coral Sword
- San Antonio – The Printed Meeple
- Tyler – Boards and Bites
- Waco – King’s Landing
Utah
- Provo – Good Move By Snakes and Lattes
Virginia
- Arlington – The Board Room
- Manassas – Crossroads Tabletop Tavern
- Midlothian – Unplugged Games Cafe
Vermont
- Burlington – the boardroom board game cafe
Washington
- Bellevue – Mox Boarding House
- Bothell – Zulu’s Board Game Cafe
- Bremerton – Ashley’s Pub
- Lynnwood – Around the Table Game Pub
- Seattle – Blue Highway Games
- Seattle – Cafe Cosmos
- Seattle – Meeples Games
- Seattle – Mox Boarding House
Wisconsin
- Menasha – The Sweet Lair
- Stoughton – Gemini Games
- Sturgeon Bay – The Gnoshery
Board Game Cafes in the UK
Wales
- Cardiff – Chance & Counters
Scotland
- Glasgow – Geek Retreat Glasgow
- Motherwell – Geek Retreat Motherwell
- Paisley – Comicrazy Cafe
- Stirling – Common Ground
East of England
- Bury St Edmunds – Shuffle Board Game Café
- Chelmsford – Counter Culture Games
- Norwich – Athena Games
- Norwich – Slice + Dice (monthly pop up)
- Norwich – The Games Table
- Sharnbrook – Ready Steady Roll
- Watford – d20 Board Game Cafe
East Midlands
- Newark – Letsxcape Together Boardgame and Event Cafe
- Nottingham – The Dice Cup
London
- Croydon – The Ludoquist
- London – Bad Moon Cafe
- London, Hackney – Draughts
- London, Waterloo – Draughts
- Richmond – The Library Pot
North East
- Middlesbrough – Fire and Dice
- Newcastle upon Tyne – Geek Retreat Newcastle
- Newcastle upon Tyne – Meeple Perk
North West
- Bolton – Slice & Dice
- Liverpool – Crit Hit Game Hub
- Liverpool – Sugar and Dice
- Manchester – Fan Boy Three
- Wirral – Geek Retreat Wirral
South East
- Basingstoke – The Gaming Den
- Brighton – Dice Saloon
- Chichester – Comics Games & Coffee
- Colchester – Dice & a Slice
- Gravesend – The Mug & Meeple
- Guildford – Unplug + Play
- Isle of Wight, Newport – Snacks & Ladders
- Milton Keynes – Players Paradice
- Oxford – Thirsty Meeples
- Portsmouth – Dice
- Rochester – Playopolis
- Southampton – Board in the City CIC
- Winchester – Comics Games And Coffee
- Yateley – Food and Board
South West
- Bristol – Replay Bristol
- Bristol (Christmas Steps) – Chance & Counters
- Bristol (Gloucester Road) – Chance & Counters
- Exeter – Board
- Ilfracombe – Dice & a Slice
- Plymouth – Twist
West Midlands
- Birmingham – Chance & Counters
- Birmingham – Geek Retreat Birmingham
- Birmingham – Sliced N Diced
- Bridgnorth – The Board Room
- Leamington Spa – The Dice Box
- Newcastle-under-Lyme – Manaflux
- Shrewsbury – Nerdy Coffee Co.
- Stoke-On-Trent – Longrest Boardgame Bar + Cafe
- Stratford – Rule Zero
- Wolverhampton – Arcane
Yorkshire
- Doncaster – Bake Battle & Roll
- Huddersfield – The People’s Meeple
- Leeds – Chance & Counters
- Leeds – Geek Retreat Leeds
- Sheffield – The Treehouse
Conclusion
We hope this guide has ignited your excitement and curiosity for the world of board game cafes. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just getting started, a spot on this list awaits you.
While we’ve taken great care to ensure the accuracy of our list, we encourage you to reach out to your chosen cafe for the latest updates.
Lastly, we’re always here to listen and grow with you. If you discover a new board game cafe or have updates or suggestions about any places we’ve listed, don’t hesitate to share them. Your contributions help us keep this guide fresh and dynamic.
Happy gaming, and may your next visit to a board game cafe be filled with joy, laughter, and victory!
Why not prepare for your board game cafe visit and learn to play Monopoly correctly?!
FAQ
What is a board game café?
A board game café is a venue where patrons can play various board games while enjoying food and drinks.
Do I need to bring my own games to a board game café?
No, most cafés provide an extensive library of games for you.
How much does it cost to play games at a board game café?
Costs vary, but many cafés charge an hourly fee or a small cover charge for unlimited play.
Can I play with strangers at board game cafés?
Yes, many cafés encourage social interaction and often have events where you can join games with other patrons.
Are board game cafés family-friendly?
Most board game cafés cater to all ages, offering a wide range of games suitable for both children and adults.
